The effect of quercetin administration on exercise, free radical and antioxidant enzym levels

This study was designed to investigate the effect of quercetin administration on exercise, free radical and antioxidant enzym levels. Material and Method: The research was conducted on 12 male Wistar rats weighing 300-350 gr. Rats were divided into two groups as control group(n=6) and test group(n=6). After the rats were quarantined for 10 days; each rat was heart bled on day 1 of the test, and bled again after they were made to exercise on day 2 of testing. Between day 3 and 12 of testing(for 10 days), each rat in test group was given 20 ml/kg of quercetin once daily, and each rat in control group was given 1ml/kg of 0.05% Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) by gavage. On day 13, each rat was made to exercise and heart bled. On day 14, the animals were allowed to rest and on day 15, they were heart bled under anesthesia. Two independent sample t test was used to analyze data. The changes before and after quercetin administration were studied, the lactat levels during exercise, antioxidant enzym levels (SOD, CAT, GPx, GST) and malondialdehit (MDA) levels, the last product of lipid peroxidation, were investigated between control group and experimental group in comparation. No significant difference was detected between control group and experimental group on the 1st day during the rest and on the 2nd day during exercise. Between 3rd and 12th day of experiment, significant changes were observed according to the results in which the rats were administered with quercetin after the exercise. A significant decrease in MDA and lactat measures existed( P<0,05). A significant increase in the antioxidant enzym levels (SOD, CAT, GPx, GST) was detected( P<0,05). On the 14th day, the animals were left to rest, and according to the results of blood test taken the next day, no significant difference was seen on MDA and lactat levels( P>0,05). When the antioxidant enzym levels (SOD, CAT, GPx, GST) were tested, a significant increase was detected again( P<0,05). It was detected that the Quercetin administration helps to increase performance by breaking lactat levels during the exercise; has protective effect against free radicals by decreasing MDA levels, the last product of lipid peroxidation, and strengthens the cell’ s antioxidant defense systems by being result in increasing antioxidant enzym levels (SOD, CAT, GPx, GST).